Note: the 2017 Moonbeam Awards are now closed for judging. Stay tuned for the results announcement in early October and the contest reopen in November.

Who May Enter

Authors, illustrators, publishers and self-publishers of children's books, written in English and Spanish and intended for the North American market. Authors and illustrators are welcome to enter their books themselves.

Eligibility

Books that are published with a 2016 or 2017 copyright or that were released since October 1, 2015 are eligible. The contest is for published books, but ISBN is not required. Submission of galley copies is permissible if finished copies are not yet available. Publishers are to select the category or categories in which the book(s) should be judged.

E-books are eligible for entry into our ebook categories, and may also be entered into our regular subject categories where they will be judged alongside print books. Ebook categories are $55 when added to a regular category; otherwise the entry fee is the same as regular categories when entering an ebook category only.

How to Enter

There are two ways to enter the awards. Enter online here to pay by credit card. Or, print and fill out this entry form to pay by check. Please include your online registration receipt or completed entry form and check in the same package as the books.

Submission and Fees

Submitting a title into more than one category is acceptable, but an entry fee is charged for each category entered. Submit two copies of the title per category entered. For example, when you enter two categories, please send four books; when entering three categories, please send six books. Mail books to:

All books entered become the physical property of the Jenkins Group and will eventually be donated to local libraries and charities. E-book entries will be erased after the awards results are announced.

Early-bird discounts are in place to encourage early entries, on the following schedule:

Contest open date to March 18, 2017: $75 per entryMarch 19, 2017 to June 17, 2017: $85 per entryJune 18, 2017 to August 12, 2017: $95 per entry

Ebook categories are $55 when added to a regular category; otherwise the entry fee is the same as regular categories when entering an ebook category only.

Judging Process

Judging will be based on content, originality, design, and production quality, with emphasis on innovation and creativity. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design, reviewing, bookselling and library. Three to five medalists per category will be named on about October 4th. Awards will be presented during the Traverse City Children's Book Festival in Traverse City, Michigan on November 11th, 2017.

Deadline

All entries must be either made online or postmarked by the final entry deadline of August 12, 2017, with a ten-day grace period for books to arrive. We will confirm your entry via email.

Awards and Recognition

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each category. Gold, silver and bronze award seals will be available to all in their appropriate award levels. Each winning book receives a medal, a personalized certificate, and 20 sample seals. Medalists and their guests are invited to attend the awards ceremony and celebration at no charge. Preview merchandise here.

"My book is now in Barnes and Noble, Books Inc. in the San Francisco Airport, several independent bookstores and at least 10 libraries (and counting). Many libraries won’t purchase from indie authors/publishers unless the novel has some critical acclaim and have won awards. Winning a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award has made my marketing journey a lot easier. Thank You."

- Veda Ramsay, 2015 Medalist

"I am happy to report I am now on my second printing of Tator’s Swamp Fever after selling out over 4,000 copies! There is no doubt the Moonbeam Award I won has helped my sales. I have taken advantage of you’re marketing, your plaques and use your gold sticker seals on my books."

- Diane Shapley-Box, 2014 Medalist

"I want to share how happy I am to have received the Moonbeam Children's Book Award! On Sunday I was contacted by a Regional Museum, and have already fulfilled their first order. They're very excited to have the book on hand for the holidays. I'm fulfilling orders daily, and can tell you that doors are opening as a result of winning the award. It does make a difference!"

- Mary Martin Weyand, 2015 Medalist

"Thanks for these award opportunities. I can’t tell you how inspired my daughter has been because of Moonbeam. It makes a real difference."